Canadians see rift increasing between Western and Muslim societies

SHAFAQNA – According to vancouversun.comMost Canadians think “irreconcilable” differences exist between Western and Muslim societies, according to polling to be revealed at this week’s Metropolis conference in Vancouver.Whether it’s the rise of Islamic State zealots, the killing of free-speech advocates in Paris and Copenhagen or disputes over niqabs, the polling shows Canadians are not immune to global anxiety about religion-fuelled conflict.The Leger Marketing polls found 63 per cent of Canadian Protestants, 62 per cent of Jews, 60 per cent of Catholics and 46 per cent of the non-religious believe Western and Islamic societies are “irreconcilable.”Even 42 per cent of Canadian Muslims believe the contrast between the West and Islamic cultures was irreconcilable.The subject of religion and social tension — and how to counteract it — is on the minds of more than 1,000 people attending two related conferences this week in Vancouver.